Successful Interviews
Making the most of the interview
Overview
Preparing for interviewsThe interview experienceQuestions to expect and to askDifferent types of interviewAssessment CentresPsychometric TestsInterview resources
Interviews
Interview = A meeting with an objective Employer’s objective is to find the best person for the job
– Employer: reviews candidate’s experience and abilities• Can you do the job? (skills, abilities, qualifications)• Will you do the job? (interest, attitude & motivation)• How will you fit into the organisation? (personality)
You: impress employer and assess position on offer• What does this position offer me?• How does it fit with my career plans?
Congratulations - you have passed the first hurdle You must prove that you are the most suitable candidate for
this position
Preparation is the key to success
– Review own skills, experiences and qualities• Check CV• Anticipate questions and identify relevant examples • Prepare key selling points
– Research organisation• Websites, reports, articles, company literature, etc• Contacts with knowledge of organisation or sector• Relevant articles in the press• Personal visit or telephone call
– Research job and occupational area• Job description – or similar• Current issues
– Prepare your questions– Practice
Watch the Body Language
First impressions very powerful– Halo effect or Devil effect
Allow time to relaxDress appropriately Entrance, introductions & handshakeSmile and make eye contactBe aware of own movementsWatch body language of interviewer
Typical Questions
About you– Tell me about yourself - Bring me up to date with your CV?– Why did you choose that particular degree programme?– What experience have you had that is relevant to this post?– What would you consider your major achievements to date?
About the job– What interests you about this job?– What do you know about this organisation?– What other options are you considering?– How do you see your career developing – 5 years?– If you were Head of Department, what would be your priorities?
General knowledge– What do you think of the Government’s policy on college fees?– What’s your opinion of the MS bid for Yahoo?
Other Type of Questions
“What if” Questions– No experience - how are you likely to respond to a
situation
Probing Questions– How exactly did you deal with the situation?
– How did you know it worked?
– How did you feel about the outcome?
– Could you have handled it differently?
Competency-based Interviews
Company identifies key skills required for job Designs questions to elicit evidence of skills Emphasis on past behaviour as predictor of success Teamwork: Describe a team project you worked on. What problems arose?
How did you deal with them?
Communication Skills: Describe situation when you had to persuade others to support your view. Give an example of any reports you’ve written which illustrate your writing skills
Interpersonal skills: What kinds of people do you find it difficult to work with? How do you handle those situations?
Taking Responsibility: Describe a time when you took responsibility to achieve a challenging goal
Problem-solving:Tell about a time when you had several tasks to manage at one time with conflicting deadlines.
Preparing for Competency Interview
Identify the competencies required for job– Review job description or ask for information
Define each competency in behavioural terms Identify past experience to illustrate how you
demonstrated that behaviour Prepare examples for each competencyPractice talking about your experienceTry to give a complete answer - STAR
Responding to Competency Q
Q Give me an example of a problem you encountered. How did you approach it. What was the outcome?
STAR response– S: Describe the situation
– T: Explain the task/problem that arose
– A: What action did you take?
– R: What was the result or outcome?
– What did you learn from this experience?
Matching Skills to Requirements
Employer needsCommunication Team workLeadershipInitiativeCustomer CareIT Commercial awareness
Your evidencePresentation to classExample from CoopClass rep, CommitteeFundraising for charityWorking in Super QuinnDesigned websiteBusiness pages
Your Answers
Listen carefully, seek clarification Illustrate answers with real examples and
evidenceBe positive – constructive criticismKeep answers specific and succinctTake time to respondBe alert to interviewer’s body languageSpeak clearly, smile and show enthusiasmKnow what you want to say, and find the
opportunity
Qualities Employers Seek
Good all-round intelligenceEnthusiasm, commitment and motivationGood communication skillsTeam work abilityAbility to solve problemsCapacity to work hard Initiative and self-relianceBalanced personality
Competencies required by X Company
Adaptability Integrity InnovationTeamwork InitiativeDrive for ResultsKnow the BusinessOpen Exchange of InformationMakes Difficult Decisions
Your Questions
Training programmesCareer development opportunitiesTypes of projects & responsibilitiesReporting structurePerformance appraisalProfile of staffQuestions about topics raised in interviewWhat happens next?
Interview Marking Sheet
Name Mark-max 100
Communication Skills Max 30
Problem Solving Max 20
Team Fit Max 20
Relevant Experience Max 20
Project Management Max 10
Total Marks
What creates a bad impression
Poor personal appearanceNegative attitude – evasive, using excusesLack of interest and enthusiasmLack of preparationPoor knowledge of roleFailure to give concrete examples of skillsOver emphasis on money/rewardsLack of career plan
After the Interview
Review own performancewhat went wellwhat went badlywhat you wished you had saidprepare for next stage
Invitation to second / final round interviewsassessment centre psychometric testingpanel interview
Rejection letter / emailif you can request feedback - use it
Telephone Interviews
Prepare as thoroughly as for ‘real’ interview Select comfortable, private, quiet place Have copy of CV and company information Have pen and paper at hand Prepare for usual interview questions Practice on phone
– Record answers– Try standing– Smile and use gestures– Avoid monotones
Be yourself
Other Types Of Interviews
Rotating– Like one-to-one with different interviewers
Group– 6-8 candidates– Group observed while discussing topic– Be aware of group interaction
Panel– 2-5 interviewers, or as many as 13!!– Try to identify different roles– Respond to interviewer, include others through eye
contact– May involve presentation
Assessment Centres
Company premises or neutral venue Includes social or informal eventsMeeting with recent graduates or managersActivities include:
– Group exercises– Practical tasks and exercises– Report writing– Oral Presentations– Psychometric assessments– Interviews
Simulates real work environment
Psychometric Tests
Aptitude Tests - measure skills relevant to position– Verbal comprehension - evaluate logic of text– Numerical reasoning - interpret statistical data– Diagrammatic reasoning - recognise patterns– Watch timing – complete as many as possible
Personality Questionnaires– Look at personality style– No right or wrong answers– Be spontaneous, don’t try to second-guess– Tests include built-in checks– Employers may be looking for different personality profiles